Godzilla vs. Spider-Man #1
Chad Burdette
Recap
Marvel Comics and Toho International, the Japanese studio’s U.S.-based subsidiary that has brought global sensation Godzilla to life, began an exciting new collaboration that resulted in a hit Godzilla variant cover program and long-awaited reprints and collections of Godzilla’s original Marvel comic series.
The GODZILLA VS. one-shots mix Godzilla lore with the Marvel mythos, twisting history as icons like the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Hulk, the X-Men and Thor face off against the King of the Monsters
Comic Watch Reviews:
- Fantastic Four Vs Godzilla #1 – We’re Going To Need A Bigger Fantasti-Car
- Godzilla vs. Hulk #1:Round 2 – The Rumble In The Desert
ROUND THREE: VS. THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN!
Fresh from the original SECRET WARS, PETER PARKER A.K.A. THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN returns to Earth with a spiffy new (alien) costume without a care in the world except for a complicated love triangle with MJ and Black Cat... and unbelievable pressure at the Daily Bugle... rent... bills... super-villains... oh, and GODZILLA IS IN NEW YORK CITY with all its destructive power aimed squarely at the wall-crawler! Don’t miss the two most popular characters in pop culture history absolutely going at it in this kaiju-sized slugfest for the ages!
Review
Godzilla vs. Spider-Man #1, the third installment of the series of oneshots, is by far the most light-hearted issue that embraces the continuity and overall feeling of Spider-Man’s world right after his return from the first Secret Wars event.
Casey gives plenty of background on story aspects such as why Peter is in the black suit, his current love life, and usual woes in life. When Godzilla arrives on the scene it is done in a way that even takes Peter by surprise, even though he knows that last time the Kaiju appeared (Godzilla vs. Hulk #1).
Related:
- Spider-Man & The Incredible Hulk Face Off With Godzilla In The Next Round Of Oneshots
- Godzilla Vs The Marvel Universe – Round 4: To Me My 90’s X-Men
- The God Of Thunder And The King Of Monsters Throwdown For The Final Round in Godzilla Vs. Thor #1
Kelly not only has Peter dealing with Godzilla, but the return of Mary Jane, completing the Peter-Mary Jane-Black Cat love triangle, as MJ admits she knows that Peter is Spider-Man. Casey shows his understanding of the alien suit, as Godzilla’s scream is able to cause the symbiote to unbond with Peter. The Symbiote, of course, finds and attaches to Godzilla, forcing Peter to make an impromptu costume that makes him look like Spider-Bunny using some clothes that were hung out to dry.
Related:
- The Marvel Universe Must Come Together Like Never Before When Godzilla Destroys The Marvel Universe This Summer
- Marvel Release Variants for GODZILLA DESTROYS THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #1
As the Godzilla- Venom rages and to get to the conclusion of the issue, the story gets rushed and it seems that elements were glossed over as Spidey shows up in his original costume with the Shocker’s gauntlets (the two tangle at the beginning if the issue) allowing the separation and ultimately the destruction of the symbiote by Godzilla. To the credit of Editor Nick Lowe, who throughout the issue provides some fun commentary via the old-school editor boxes, admits that this is a plot hole to (not) be explained in an upcoming miniseries.
The art throughout the issue is solid and captures the 80s vibe in which the story is set. The splash pages, particularly the final battle between Godzilla and the alien symbiote is exceptionally done from start to finsh.
Final Thoughts
Godzilla vs. Spider-Man #1 is a fun addition to the series that allows both #Spiderman and #Godzilla to share the spotlight and eventually become friends (of sorts) in a strange yet plausible way. The team weaves the symbiote lore into the story in a way that makes Godzilla's final confrontation with the alien work to make the story stronget.
Godzilla vs. Spider-Man #1
- Writing - 9/109/10
- Storyline - 9/109/10
- Art - 9/109/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 9/109/10
